Never Mix Family and Money? (This $2.4 Million Court Case Explains Why)

Would you lend a family member $2.4 million without a written loan agreement? In Zhou v Li [2026] NSWSC 258, a family business arrangement escalated into a Supreme Court dispute involving a 7-Eleven business, company funds, a multimillion-dollar property loan and a real estate development. We examine why the court ordered substantial repayments, why the claimed security over the Epping property was unenforceable, and the legal lessons Australians should understand before lending money to family. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 The $2.4 Million Family Dispute 01:29 The 7-Eleven Business: Who Owned the Money? 06:19 Can a Director Use Company Money Personally? 09:38 The $2.4 Million Handshake Loan 14:27 The Burwood Property Development Dispute 16:44 Witness Credibility: Why the Evidence Mattered 19:22 Who Won the Supreme Court Case? 20:33 5 Legal Lessons for Australians ✨ 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 Steve On The Law✨    / @steveonthelaw   #australianlaw #LegalCaseStudy #propertylaw #businesslaw #SteveOnTheLaw